X-pectant fans greet reality song stars ahead of O2 stint

Fans of last year's 'X Factor' catch a glimpse of some of the contestants at the Morgan hotel in Temple Bar, Dublin, yesterday, where the show's stars are staying during their five-night run at the O2Mary ByrneOne Direction's Niall Horan wave to the crowdKatie Waissel

A crowd of committed fans showed there is still life out there for former 'X Factor' contestants yesterday.

In fact, it seems that the singers, who lit up hundreds of thousands of sitting rooms on Saturday nights before Christmas, are as popular as ever.

There was bedlam outside the Morgan hotel in Dublin's Temple Bar yesterday when a group of screaming teenagers spotted some of their idols from the hit TV show inside.

The cream of the last show's run -- including Katie Waissel, One Direction and Paije Richardson -- will take to the O2 for an unprecedented five-show run from today.

Waving

However, it took the boyish charms of One Direction to really spark some excitement in the crowd outside.

Somewhat wisely, the five members of the boyband chose to remain inside the hotel, waving at fans from their room windows.

There was a special scream of recognition for Mullingar-native Niall Horan, who has already dubbed himself the Robbie Williams of the band.

Things did not get too hectic though -- both Katie and Paije managed to walk through the front doors of the Dublin hotel without too much hassle.

Also staying at the hotel was Mary Byrne, who has become something of a national treasure.

There has been a lot of comment that stardom on the hit show can be very short-lived and that the most prominent of figures fade into obscurity once the cameras are switched off.

There was little sign of that yesterday, however, when the singers were treated with the same reverential reception they became used to in the final months of last year on 'The X Factor' before Matt Cardle walked off with the ultimate prize.

Byrne has previously said she was nervous about the Dublin shows as they would be the first time she would be performing in an arena.